French A2 — Elementary

At A2 you start talking about the past and the future. By the end of the level you can describe your background, your daily life and your immediate needs, tell what happened last weekend or on a trip, make and answer invitations, deal with shops, restaurants and the doctor, and write short personal letters and simple emails.

Part of the French course. Previous level: A1. Next level: B1.

Study time: 80–100 more hours (about 160–200 in total). Units on this page: 10.

1. Le week-end dernier · passé composé with avoir; regular and common irregular past participles
2. Un voyage · passé composé with être (movement verbs), past participle agreement with être
3. La routine et la santé · reflexive verbs (present and passé composé); avoir mal à; il faut + infinitive
4. Quand j'étais petit · imparfait (formation and use for habits and descriptions)
5. Les relations et les invitations · direct object pronouns (le, la, les) and indirect object pronouns (lui, leur); position with the passé composé
6. Le logement et le quartier · the pronouns y and en; comparatives (plus/moins/aussi … que)
7. Le travail et les études · relative pronouns qui, que, où; depuis / il y a / pendant
8. L'avenir · futur simple (regular and irregular stems); si + present, futur
9. Au restaurant et la cuisine · superlatives (le plus, le meilleur); the imperative with pronouns; quantity expressions
10. Les médias et les achats en ligne · conditionnel présent of politeness (je voudrais, pourriez-vous); passé composé vs imparfait (introduction)

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Unit 1: Le week-end dernier

In this unit you will tell what you did last weekend. Grammar: the passé composé with avoir (the main past tense of conversation), regular and irregular past participles, negation and time markers.

1.1 Dialogue: Lundi matin au bureau

English translation

Éric: Hi Manon! Did you have a good weekend? Manon: Excellent! On Saturday I did a long hike in the forest with my club. We walked twenty kilometres! Éric: Twenty kilometres! Didn't your legs hurt? Manon: A bit, yes. In the evening I had a nice bath and slept ten hours. And you, what did you do? Éric: Not much. On Saturday I tidied my flat and watched the match on TV. On Sunday my parents celebrated their wedding anniversary, so we had lunch in an Italian restaurant. Manon: Nice! Did you eat well? Éric: Very well, but we ate too much! Afterwards we saw a film at the cinema. I didn't like the ending… Manon: What film? Éric: A detective film. I didn't understand who the culprit is!

1.2 Vocabulary

French	English
passer un bon week-end	to have a good weekend
faire une randonnée, une balade	to go hiking, for a walk
ranger, faire le ménage	to tidy, to do the housework
faire les courses	to do the shopping
fêter un anniversaire	to celebrate a birthday
inviter des amis, recevoir	to invite friends, to have people over
faire la grasse matinée	to have a lie-in
se reposer	to rest
voir un film, une exposition	to see a film, an exhibition
bricoler, jardiner	to do DIY, to garden
pas grand-chose	not much
génial, nul, ennuyeux, sympa	great, rubbish, boring, nice

Past time markers: hier (yesterday), avant-hier (the day before yesterday), hier soir (last night), samedi dernier (last Saturday), le week-end dernier, la semaine dernière, le mois dernier, l'année dernière, il y a deux jours (two days ago), ce matin (this morning), d'abord (first), ensuite / puis (then), après (afterwards), enfin (finally).

1.3 Grammar: the passé composé with avoir

The passé composé expresses a completed action in the past: j'ai mangé = I ate / I have eaten. It has two parts: avoir (present) + past participle.

manger
j'ai mangé	nous avons mangé
tu as mangé	vous avez mangé
il / elle / on a mangé	ils / elles ont mangé

Regular past participles

Infinitive ending	Participle	Examples
-er	-é	parler → parlé, manger → mangé
-ir (most)	-i	finir → fini, dormir → dormi, choisir → choisi
-re (many)	-u	attendre → attendu, vendre → vendu, perdre → perdu

Irregular past participles to learn now

Infinitive	Participle	Infinitive	Participle
avoir	eu	être	été
faire	fait	dire	dit
prendre	pris	mettre	mis
voir	vu	boire	bu
lire	lu	pouvoir	pu
vouloir	voulu	devoir	dû
écrire	écrit	ouvrir	ouvert
recevoir	reçu	connaître	connu

1.4 Practice

1.5 Listening

A voicemail from a friend.

1.6 Speaking

1.7 Writing

1.8 Flashcards

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Unit 2: Un voyage

In this unit you will tell the story of a trip. Grammar: the passé composé with être (the "house of être" verbs and reflexive verbs), and the agreement of the past participle.

2.1 Dialogue: Retour de Marseille

English translation

Léo: So, how was the trip to Marseille? Sarah: Great! We left on Friday morning and arrived at noon. We took the TGV: only three hours from Paris. Léo: How long did you stay? Sarah: Three days. On the first day we went to the Old Port and went up to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. The view is magnificent! Léo: And did you go to the calanques? Sarah: Yes, on Saturday. We walked down to the sea and Julien fell twice! I went into the water: it's cold in April! Léo: And where did you sleep? Sarah: In a small hotel near the port. On Sunday evening we came back very late, but I'm not tired. I'm ready to go again!

2.2 Vocabulary

French	English
un voyage, voyager	a trip, to travel
partir en voyage, faire un séjour	to go on a trip, to stay (for a period)
la gare, l'aéroport, le quai	station, airport, platform
le billet (aller simple / aller-retour)	ticket (single / return)
réserver, annuler, rater le train	to book, to cancel, to miss the train
l'hôtel, l'auberge de jeunesse, le camping	hotel, youth hostel, campsite
une chambre double / individuelle	a double / single room
la valise, le sac à dos, les bagages	suitcase, backpack, luggage
le passeport, la carte d'identité	passport, identity card
la plage, la mer, la montagne, le lac	beach, sea, mountain, lake
visiter un monument, faire du tourisme	to visit a monument, to go sightseeing
la vue, le paysage	the view, the landscape
le retard, être en retard	delay, to be late

2.3 Grammar: the passé composé with être

About fifteen verbs, mostly verbs of movement or change of state, use être instead of avoir. Imagine a house: you naître (are born), arriver, entrer, monter the stairs, rester, tomber, descendre, sortir, partir, retourner, and finally mourir. Also aller / venir, passer, rentrer and all the re- and de- forms (revenir, devenir, repartir…).

Infinitive	Participle	Infinitive	Participle
aller	allé	venir	venu
arriver	arrivé	partir	parti
entrer	entré	sortir	sorti
monter	monté	descendre	descendu
rester	resté	tomber	tombé
naître	né	mourir	mort
devenir	devenu	rentrer	rentré

Agreement. With être, the past participle agrees with the subject like an adjective (+ e for feminine, + s for plural):

je suis allé(e)	nous sommes allé(e)s
tu es allé(e)	vous êtes allé(e)(s)
il est allé / elle est allée	ils sont allés / elles sont allées

2.4 Practice

2.5 Listening

Thomas tells the story of a difficult journey.

2.6 Speaking

2.7 Writing

2.8 Flashcards

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Unit 3: La routine et la santé

In this unit you will describe your daily routine in detail, name parts of the body, explain health problems and give simple advice. Grammar: reflexive verbs (present, passé composé, imperative), avoir mal à, and il faut + infinitive.

3.1 Dialogue: Chez le médecin

English translation

Doctor: Hello, madam. Sit down. What's wrong? Mme Garnier: I haven't felt well for three days. I have a headache and a sore throat, and I'm coughing a lot. Doctor: Do you have a temperature? Mme Garnier: Yes, last night I had 38.5. And at night I often wake up. Doctor: I'm going to examine you. Open your mouth… Breathe deeply… Right, it's the flu. Mme Garnier: Is it serious? Doctor: No, but you must rest. Stay in bed three or four days, drink a lot of water and don't go to bed late. I'm giving you a prescription for paracetamol. Mme Garnier: And for work? Doctor: I'll give you a sick note until Friday. And wash your hands often!

3.2 Vocabulary

The body (le corps)

French	English
la tête, les cheveux, le visage	head, hair, face
les yeux (un œil), le nez, la bouche, les dents	eyes (an eye), nose, mouth, teeth
l'oreille, la gorge, le cou	ear, throat, neck
l'épaule, le bras, la main, le doigt	shoulder, arm, hand, finger
le dos, le ventre, l'estomac, le cœur	back, stomach (belly), stomach (organ), heart
la jambe, le genou, le pied	leg, knee, foot

Health

French	English
être malade, tomber malade	to be ill, to fall ill
avoir de la fièvre	to have a temperature
tousser, éternuer	to cough, to sneeze
un rhume, la grippe, une allergie	a cold, flu, an allergy
se sentir bien / mal	to feel well / ill
être fatigué(e), stressé(e)	to be tired, stressed
se casser la jambe, se blesser	to break one's leg, to hurt oneself
le médecin, le / la dentiste, la pharmacie	doctor, dentist, chemist's
prendre rendez-vous	to make an appointment
une ordonnance, un médicament, un comprimé	a prescription, a medicine, a tablet
un arrêt maladie	a sick note
Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas ?	What's wrong?

Daily routine (reflexive verbs): se réveiller (to wake up), se lever (to get up), se laver (to wash), se doucher, se brosser les dents, s'habiller (to get dressed), se maquiller, se raser, se dépêcher (to hurry), se reposer, se promener (to go for a walk), se coucher (to go to bed), s'endormir (to fall asleep).

3.3 Grammar: reflexive verbs

A reflexive verb has a pronoun that refers back to the subject: je me lave = I wash (myself).

se lever (present)
je me lève	nous nous levons
tu te lèves	vous vous levez
il / elle / on se lève	ils / elles se lèvent

Me, te, se become m', t', s' before a vowel: je m'habille, il s'appelle.

Negative: ne goes before the pronoun, pas after the verb: Je ne me lève pas tôt.

Passé composé: always with être, and the participle usually agrees: Je me suis levé(e) à sept heures. Elle s'est couchée tard. Nous nous sommes promenés.

Imperative: the pronoun goes after the verb, and te becomes toi: Lève-toi ! Reposez-vous ! Dépêchons-nous ! Negative: Ne te couche pas tard !

3.4 Grammar: avoir mal à and il faut

Avoir mal à + part of the body (with the definite article and the contractions):

• J'ai mal à la tête. (headache) — J'ai mal au ventre. — J'ai mal à l'oreille. — J'ai mal aux dents.

Il faut + infinitive = you must, it is necessary (general obligation). It never changes: Il faut boire de l'eau. Il ne faut pas fumer. For advice, also: Tu dois / vous devez + infinitive (devoir: je dois, tu dois, il doit, nous devons, vous devez, ils doivent).

3.5 Practice

3.6 Listening

A sports coach gives advice on the radio.

3.7 Speaking

3.8 Writing

3.9 Flashcards

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Unit 4: Quand j'étais petit

In this unit you will talk about your childhood and describe how things used to be. Grammar: the imparfait (formation and its uses for habits, descriptions and background), and a first comparison with the passé composé.

4.1 Dialogue: Les souvenirs de grand-père

Lina asks her grandfather about his childhood in a village.

English translation

Lina: Grandpa, what was your life like when you were little? Grandfather: Oh, it was very different! I lived in a small village in Auvergne. My parents were farmers. We had cows and hens. Lina: Did you walk to school? Grandfather: Yes, I walked three kilometres every morning, even when it snowed. The school had only one class and a single teacher for all the children. Lina: And what did you do at weekends? Grandfather: On Saturdays I used to help my father on the farm. On Sundays we went to mass, then the whole family ate at my grandmother's. In the afternoon I played football with my friends in the meadow. Lina: Did you have television? Grandfather: No! We listened to the radio in the evening. And we read a lot. I was never sad: I was a very happy child.

4.2 Vocabulary

French	English
l'enfance, un souvenir, se souvenir de	childhood, a memory, to remember
l'école maternelle / primaire	nursery / primary school
le collège, le lycée	secondary school (11–15), high school (15–18)
l'instituteur, l'institutrice, le / la maître(sse)	primary school teacher
un copain, une copine	a friend, a mate (also boyfriend / girlfriend)
jouer à cache-cache, à la poupée, aux billes	to play hide-and-seek, with dolls, marbles
faire des bêtises	to get up to mischief
gronder, punir	to scold, to punish
sage, obéissant(e), têtu(e)	well-behaved, obedient, stubborn
la ferme, le village, la campagne	farm, village, countryside
à cette époque, autrefois, avant	at that time, in the past, before
tous les jours, chaque été, d'habitude	every day, every summer, usually

4.3 Grammar: the imparfait

Formation. Take the nous form of the present, remove -ons, and add the endings -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.

parler (nous parl-ons)	finir (nous finiss-ons)	faire (nous fais-ons)
je parlais	je finissais	je faisais
tu parlais	tu finissais	tu faisais
il parlait	il finissait	il faisait
nous parlions	nous finissions	nous faisions
vous parliez	vous finissiez	vous faisiez
ils parlaient	ils finissaient	ils faisaient

The only irregular stem is être → ét-: j'étais, tu étais, il était, nous étions, vous étiez, ils étaient.

Uses. The imparfait is used for:

1. Habits and repeated actions in the past ("used to", "would"): Le dimanche, nous allions chez ma grand-mère.
2. Descriptions of people, places, weather, feelings: Il était grand. Il faisait froid. J'étais heureux.
3. Background / ongoing situations ("was doing"): Je regardais la télé quand le téléphone a sonné.

4.4 Grammar: imparfait or passé composé?

Passé composé	Imparfait
a completed event, a specific moment	a habit, a repeated action
Hier, j'ai mangé chez ma grand-mère.	Le dimanche, je mangeais chez ma grand-mère.
the main events of a story ("what happened")	the scene, the description ("what it was like")
Le téléphone a sonné.	Il pleuvait et je lisais.

Signal words: un jour, soudain, hier, une fois → usually passé composé; tous les jours, d'habitude, souvent, à cette époque, quand j'étais petit → usually imparfait. (You will practise this contrast in depth at B1.)

4.5 Practice

4.6 Listening

Amina remembers her first school.

4.7 Speaking

4.8 Writing

4.9 Flashcards

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Unit 5: Les relations et les invitations

In this unit you will invite people, accept and refuse politely, and arrange a meeting. Grammar: direct object pronouns (le, la, les) and indirect object pronouns (lui, leur), with their position in the present, the passé composé, the imperative and before an infinitive.

5.1 Dialogue: Une invitation au téléphone

English translation

Nathan: Hello, Zoé? It's Nathan. How are you? Zoé: Hi Nathan! Yes, fine. What's new? Nathan: On Saturday it's Karim's birthday. We're organising a surprise party at my place. Do you want to come? Zoé: With pleasure! Karim, I adore him. What time? Nathan: Around eight. But don't tell him anything, it's a surprise! Zoé: I promise, I won't tell him anything. And what about the present? Nathan: We're giving him a sports bag. I've already bought it. You can contribute if you want: ten euros each. Zoé: OK. And his parents, are you inviting them? Nathan: Yes, I phoned them yesterday. They're coming with a cake. Zoé: Perfect. I can bring drinks. And Inès, have you called her? Nathan: Not yet. I'm going to call her tonight. Right, see you on Saturday!

5.2 Vocabulary

Inviting, accepting, refusing

French	English
Tu es libre samedi ? / Vous êtes disponible ?	Are you free on Saturday?
Ça te dit de… ? / Tu as envie de… ?	Do you fancy…?
On pourrait aller…	We could go…
Avec plaisir ! / Volontiers !	With pleasure! / Gladly!
Bonne idée ! / Pourquoi pas ?	Good idea! / Why not?
C'est gentil, mais je ne peux pas.	That's kind, but I can't.
Désolé(e), je suis déjà pris(e).	Sorry, I've already got plans.
Une autre fois, peut-être.	Another time, maybe.
On se retrouve où ? À quelle heure ?	Where shall we meet? What time?
On se donne rendez-vous devant le cinéma.	Let's meet in front of the cinema.

Relationships

French	English
un(e) ami(e), un copain, une copine	a friend, a mate, (also boyfriend / girlfriend)
un(e) collègue, un(e) voisin(e)	a colleague, a neighbour
rencontrer, faire la connaissance de	to meet (for the first time)
s'entendre bien avec	to get on well with
se disputer, se réconcilier	to argue, to make up
tomber amoureux de, sortir avec	to fall in love with, to go out with
offrir un cadeau, souhaiter un bon anniversaire	to give a present, to wish happy birthday

5.3 Grammar: direct object pronouns

A direct object answers "whom?" or "what?" with no preposition: Je vois Paul. → Je le vois.

me (m')	te (t')	le / la (l')	nous	vous	les
me	you	him, it / her, it	us	you	them

• Tu connais Marie ? — Oui, je la connais.
• Tu regardes le match ? — Oui, je le regarde.
• Il nous invite. — *Je **t'*aime.

5.4 Grammar: indirect object pronouns

An indirect object comes after à + a person: Je téléphone à Paul. → Je lui téléphone.

me (m')	te (t')	lui	nous	vous	leur
to me	to you	to him / to her	to us	to you	to them

Common verbs with à + person: parler à, téléphoner à, dire à, donner à, offrir à, écrire à, envoyer à, répondre à, demander à, sourire à, plaire à.

5.5 Practice

5.6 Listening

Two voicemails: an invitation and a refusal.

5.7 Speaking

5.8 Writing

5.9 Flashcards

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Unit 6: Le logement et le quartier

In this unit you will look for a flat, understand small ads, describe and compare neighbourhoods. Grammar: the pronouns y and en, and comparatives (plus … que, moins … que, aussi … que, autant de … que, meilleur, mieux).

6.1 Dialogue: Quel quartier choisir ?

Clara and Mehdi are moving to Bordeaux. They compare two flats.

English translation

Mehdi: So, which one shall we take? The flat in the centre or the house in Talence? Clara: The flat in the centre is smaller, but it's nearer my work. I walk there in ten minutes. Mehdi: Yes, but it's also more expensive: nine hundred euros, against seven hundred and fifty for the house. Clara: That's true. And the Talence area, do you know it? Mehdi: I went there on Saturday. It's quieter than the centre and there are lots of parks. There are fewer restaurants, but there are a few, very nice ones. Clara: Are there schools? For later… Mehdi: Yes, there are two, and a big market on Sundays. And the tram runs nearby: you're in the centre in twenty minutes. Clara: Well… the centre is livelier, but the house has a garden. And a garden is something I've been dreaming of for years! Mehdi: So it's decided: we take the house!

6.2 Vocabulary

Looking for a home

French	English
une petite annonce, une agence immobilière	a small ad, an estate agent's
chercher un logement, déménager	to look for accommodation, to move house
le / la locataire, le / la propriétaire	tenant, owner/landlord
le loyer, les charges, la caution	rent, service charges, deposit
un T2 / un deux-pièces	a two-room flat (living room + one bedroom)
m² (mètres carrés)	square metres
meublé, vide, rénové, lumineux	furnished, unfurnished, renovated, bright
la colocation, un colocataire	flat-share, a flatmate
visiter un appartement, signer le bail	to view a flat, to sign the lease

The neighbourhood

French	English
animé, vivant, bruyant, calme, tranquille	lively, lively, noisy, quiet, peaceful
sûr / dangereux, propre / sale	safe / dangerous, clean / dirty
les commerces, les transports en commun	shops, public transport
la banlieue, le centre-ville, la périphérie	suburbs, town centre, outskirts
les espaces verts, une piste cyclable	green spaces, a cycle lane
bien desservi(e)	well served by public transport

6.3 Grammar: the pronouns y and en

Y replaces a place introduced by à, en, dans, chez, sur… ("there"), or à + a thing:

• Tu vas à la gare ? — Oui, j'y vais.
• Elle habite en Espagne ? — Oui, elle y habite depuis deux ans.
• Tu penses à ton examen ? — Oui, j'y pense. (penser à quelque chose)

En replaces de + noun ("some, of it, of them", or a place you come from), and a noun after a number or a quantity:

• Tu veux du café ? — Oui, j'en veux.
• Il y a des écoles ? — Oui, il y en a deux. (the number stays)
• Tu as beaucoup d'amis ? — Oui, j'en ai beaucoup.
• Tu reviens de la plage ? — Oui, j'en reviens.
• Tu rêves d'un jardin ? — Oui, j'en rêve. (rêver de)

6.4 Grammar: comparatives

	Adjective / adverb	Noun
more … than	plus grand que	plus de restaurants que
less … than	moins cher que	moins de bruit que
as … as	aussi calme que	autant de parcs que

• Talence est plus calme que le centre. L'appartement est moins cher que la maison. Ici, il y a autant d'écoles qu'à Paris.
• With verbs: plus que, moins que, autant que: Je travaille plus que toi.

Irregular: bon → meilleur (better, adjective): Le pain est meilleur ici. Bien → mieux (better, adverb): On vit mieux à la campagne. Never plus bon.

6.5 Practice

6.6 Listening

A small ad read on a property website's audio guide.

6.7 Speaking

6.8 Writing

6.9 Flashcards

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Unit 7: Le travail et les études

In this unit you will talk about jobs, studies and experience, and take part in a simple job interview. Grammar: the relative pronouns qui, que, où, and the time expressions depuis, il y a, pendant, en.

7.1 Dialogue: L'entretien d'embauche

Lucie applies for a summer job in a hotel.

English translation

M. Blanc: Hello, Miss Martin. Sit down. You're a student? Lucie: Yes, I've been studying tourism in Nantes for two years. M. Blanc: Have you already worked in a hotel? Lucie: Yes. A year ago I worked for three months at the reception of a hotel located in La Baule. It's an experience I really enjoyed. M. Blanc: What languages do you speak? Lucie: I speak English fluently and Spanish quite well. I've been learning German since September. M. Blanc: Very good. The position we are offering is a night receptionist position, three nights a week. Does that suit you? Lucie: Yes, no problem. I'm available from 1 July to 31 August. M. Blanc: Perfect. What are your qualities, in your opinion? Lucie: I'm organised, friendly and I like contact with customers. And I'm someone you can count on. M. Blanc: Thank you. We'll give you an answer in a week.

7.2 Vocabulary

Jobs and work

French	English
un métier, une profession, un poste	a trade, a profession, a position
un(e) employé(e), un(e) salarié(e)	an employee
un patron, une patronne, un(e) chef	a boss
un(e) avocat(e), un(e) ingénieur(e), un(e) infirmier(ère)	a lawyer, an engineer, a nurse
un(e) vendeur(se), un(e) serveur(se), un(e) cuisinier(ère)	a salesperson, a waiter/waitress, a cook
travailler à temps plein / à temps partiel	to work full time / part time
un CDI, un CDD, un stage	a permanent contract, a fixed-term contract, an internship
chercher du travail, postuler, embaucher	to look for work, to apply, to hire
un entretien (d'embauche), un CV, une lettre de motivation	a (job) interview, a CV, a cover letter
le salaire, gagner sa vie	the salary, to earn a living
être au chômage, démissionner, prendre sa retraite	to be unemployed, to resign, to retire

Studies

French	English
faire des études de droit, de médecine	to study law, medicine
l'université (la fac), une école de commerce	university, a business school
le bac, une licence, un master, un doctorat	A-levels, a bachelor's, a master's, a PhD
passer un examen / réussir un examen	to take an exam / to pass an exam
rater un examen, redoubler	to fail an exam, to repeat a year
un diplôme, être diplômé(e)	a qualification, to have graduated

7.3 Grammar: relative pronouns qui, que, où

Relative pronouns join two sentences and avoid repeating a noun.

Pronoun	Replaces	Example
qui	the subject of the verb that follows (person or thing)	J'ai un ami qui travaille à Lyon.
que (qu')	the direct object (person or thing)	C'est le poste que je cherche.
où	a place or a time	La ville où j'habite. Le jour où je suis arrivé.

How to choose? After qui comes a verb (qui travaille). After que comes a subject + verb (que je cherche). Qui never becomes qu'; que does: le livre qu'il lit.

7.4 Grammar: depuis, il y a, pendant, en

Expression	Meaning	Tense	Example
depuis	since / for (still true now)	present	J'apprends l'allemand depuis septembre / depuis deux mois.
il y a	ago	past	J'ai commencé il y a deux ans.
pendant	for, during (a finished period)	past (or any)	J'ai travaillé pendant trois mois.
en	in (the time needed to do something)	any	J'ai fini en une heure.
dans	in (future: from now)	future	Je vous réponds dans une semaine.

English speakers' trap: "I have been living here for five years" = J'habite ici depuis cinq ans (present tense in French!).

7.5 Practice

7.6 Listening

A podcast: Karim talks about his career change.

7.7 Speaking

7.8 Writing

7.9 Flashcards

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Unit 8: L'avenir

In this unit you will make predictions, promises and plans, and talk about conditions. Grammar: the futur simple (regular and irregular stems), si + present → future, and the difference between futur proche and futur simple.

8.1 Dialogue: Les bonnes résolutions

On New Year's Eve, three friends talk about their resolutions.

English translation

Inès: So, what are your New Year's resolutions? Bastien: I'll do sport three times a week. And I'll eat less sugar. I promise! Inès: You say that every year… And you, Mia? Mia: This year I'll be more organised. I'll have a diary and I won't be late any more. And if I have enough money, I'll go to Japan in April. Bastien: To Japan? Great! Will you be able to send me photos? Mia: Of course. And you, Inès? Inès: I have big news: in September I'll start a new job in Montreal! I'll leave at the end of August. Bastien: What? You're going to leave us? Inès: Don't worry: you'll come and see me and we'll go skiing together. And if I get bored, I'll come back! Mia: It will soon be midnight. Come on, let's drink to the future!

8.2 Vocabulary

French	English
l'avenir, le futur	the future
un projet, un rêve, un objectif	a plan, a dream, a goal
prendre une bonne résolution	to make a resolution
promettre, je te promets	to promise, I promise you
prévoir, une prévision	to forecast, a forecast
changer de vie, s'installer à l'étranger	to change one's life, to settle abroad
économiser, faire des économies	to save money
arrêter de fumer, se mettre au sport	to stop smoking, to take up sport
un jour, bientôt, dans dix ans, à l'avenir	one day, soon, in ten years, in the future
l'année prochaine, d'ici 2030	next year, by 2030
peut-être, sûrement, sans doute	maybe, surely, probably

The environment (first words): la planète, le climat, le réchauffement climatique, la pollution, recycler, les déchets (waste), l'énergie solaire, protéger la nature, gaspiller (to waste).

8.3 Grammar: the futur simple

Regular verbs: infinitive + endings -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont (the endings of avoir in the present). Verbs in -re drop the final e.

parler	finir	prendre
je parlerai	je finirai	je prendrai
tu parleras	tu finiras	tu prendras
il parlera	il finira	il prendra
nous parlerons	nous finirons	nous prendrons
vous parlerez	vous finirez	vous prendrez
ils parleront	ils finiront	ils prendront

Irregular stems (same endings):

Verb	Stem	Verb	Stem
être	ser- (je serai)	avoir	aur- (j'aurai)
aller	ir- (j'irai)	faire	fer- (je ferai)
venir	viendr-	voir	verr-
pouvoir	pourr-	vouloir	voudr-
devoir	devr-	savoir	saur-
envoyer	enverr-	falloir	il faudra
pleuvoir	il pleuvra	recevoir	recevr-

Spelling: verbs like acheter, se lever, appeler keep their stem change in all persons: j'achèterai, je me lèverai, j'appellerai.

8.4 Grammar: si + present, future

To talk about a real possibility in the future: si + present in the condition, future (or imperative) in the result.

• Si j'ai assez d'argent, j'irai au Japon. (never si j'aurai)
• S'il fait beau demain, nous ferons un pique-nique.
• Si tu es fatigué, repose-toi !

8.5 Practice

8.6 Listening

A futurologist on the radio imagines life in 2050.

8.7 Speaking

8.8 Writing

8.9 Flashcards

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Unit 9: Au restaurant et la cuisine

In this unit you will order a full meal, deal with a problem politely, explain a recipe and talk about French food culture. Grammar: the superlative (le plus, le moins, le meilleur, le mieux), the imperative with pronouns, and more quantity expressions.

9.1 Dialogue: Un dîner au restaurant

English translation

Waitress: Good evening. Have you booked? Paul: Yes, a table for two in the name of Moreau. Waitress: Very good, follow me… Here's the menu. Shall I bring you an aperitif? Paul: No thanks, just a jug of water. What do you recommend? Waitress: The dish of the day is beef bourguignon. It's the house speciality and, in my opinion, the best dish on the menu. Emma: So, for me, as a starter, the onion soup, and as a main, the grilled salmon with vegetables. Paul: And I'll have the 28-euro set menu: the warm goat's cheese salad and the beef bourguignon. Waitress: And how would you like the salmon cooked? … Perfect. (Later) Emma: Excuse me, madam, my salmon is cold. Could you warm it up, please? Waitress: Oh, I'm sorry! I'll bring it to you right away. And then, dessert? Paul: Yes, two chocolate mousses. And the bill, please. Is service included? Waitress: Yes, service is included. And the coffee is on the house, because of the salmon!

9.2 Vocabulary

At the restaurant

French	English
réserver une table, une table pour deux	to book a table, a table for two
la carte, le menu (à prix fixe), le plat du jour	the menu, the set menu, the dish of the day
l'entrée, le plat (principal), le dessert	starter, main course, dessert
Qu'est-ce que vous nous conseillez ?	What do you recommend?
saignant, à point, bien cuit	rare, medium, well done
une carafe d'eau, un verre de vin rouge	a jug of tap water, a glass of red wine
C'est trop salé / trop épicé / froid.	It's too salty / too spicy / cold.
Le service est compris ?	Is service included?
un pourboire	a tip
C'était délicieux !	It was delicious!

Cooking

French	English
une recette, les ingrédients	a recipe, the ingredients
éplucher, couper, hacher	to peel, to cut, to chop
mélanger, battre (les œufs), ajouter	to mix, to beat (eggs), to add
faire cuire, faire bouillir, faire frire	to cook, to boil, to fry
mettre au four, préchauffer le four	to put in the oven, to preheat the oven
une casserole, une poêle, un saladier	a saucepan, a frying pan, a mixing bowl
une cuillère à soupe / à café	a tablespoon / a teaspoon
une pincée de sel, un filet d'huile	a pinch of salt, a drizzle of oil

9.3 Grammar: the superlative

Superlative = le / la / les + plus / moins + adjective (+ de for the group).

• C'est le plat le plus cher de la carte. — C'est la ville la moins chère de France.
• Adjectives that go before the noun keep their place: C'est le plus beau restaurant de la ville.
• Irregular: bon → le meilleur / la meilleure / les meilleur(e)s; bien → le mieux: C'est le meilleur plat. C'est lui qui cuisine le mieux.
• With verbs and nouns: C'est elle qui mange le plus. C'est ici qu'il y a le plus de restaurants.

9.4 Grammar: the imperative with pronouns (recipes)

Recipes in French use the imperative (vous) or the infinitive (Éplucher les pommes de terre). With pronouns:

• Positive: pronoun after the verb, with hyphens: Coupez-les. Ajoutez-en. Mettez-le au four. Donnez-moi la recette !
• Negative: pronoun before the verb: Ne les coupez pas trop petits. N'en ajoutez pas trop.
• With two pronouns (positive): direct before indirect: Apportez-le-moi ! Donnez-la-lui ! (Negative: Ne me l'apportez pas.)

9.5 Practice

9.6 Listening

A chef explains a simple recipe on a cooking show.

9.7 Speaking

9.8 Writing

9.9 Flashcards

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Unit 10: Les médias et les achats en ligne

In this unit you will talk about the media and social networks, shop online, describe a problem with an order and complain politely. Grammar: the conditionnel présent for polite requests (je voudrais, pourriez-vous, j'aimerais), and telling a short incident with the passé composé and the imparfait.

10.1 Dialogue: Un colis qui n'arrive pas

Romain calls the customer service of an online shop.

English translation

Employee: Customer service, Clara speaking. What can I do for you? Romain: Hello, madam. I ordered headphones on your website ten days ago, and I still haven't received them. Employee: I'm sorry. Could you give me your order number? Romain: Yes, it's 458217. Employee: Thank you… I can see that the parcel was sent on the third of March. The site said delivery within 48 hours, is that right? Romain: Exactly. I was at home all last week and nobody came. And yesterday I received a message that said "Parcel delivered". But there was nothing in my letterbox! Employee: I understand. I'm going to open a claim with the carrier. Romain: I'd rather be refunded, if possible. Or else, could you send me another pair of headphones? Employee: Of course. I'll send you new headphones today by express delivery, free of charge. You'll receive them tomorrow. Romain: Thank you very much, that's very kind.

10.2 Vocabulary

Media and social networks

French	English
les médias, la presse, un journal, un magazine	the media, the press, a newspaper, a magazine
les informations (les infos), l'actualité	the news, current affairs
une émission, une chaîne, une série	a programme, a channel, a series
les réseaux sociaux, une publication	social networks, a post
publier, partager, liker, commenter	to post, to share, to like, to comment
s'abonner à, un abonné	to subscribe/follow, a follower
télécharger, mettre en ligne	to download, to upload
un mot de passe, un compte, se connecter	a password, an account, to log in

Online shopping and problems

French	English
commander, une commande, un colis	to order, an order, a parcel
la livraison, livrer, les frais de port	delivery, to deliver, postage costs
le panier, valider, payer en ligne	the basket, to confirm, to pay online
abîmé, cassé, défectueux, en panne	damaged, broken, faulty, not working
ne pas correspondre à la description	not to match the description
rembourser, un remboursement	to refund, a refund
échanger, renvoyer, retourner un article	to exchange, to send back, to return an item
faire une réclamation, le service client	to make a complaint, customer service

10.3 Grammar: the conditionnel présent for politeness

The conditional softens requests and wishes. Formation: the stem of the future + the endings of the imparfait (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient).

Verb	Future stem	Conditional
vouloir	voudr-	je voudrais
pouvoir	pourr-	pourriez-vous… ? tu pourrais… ?
aimer	aimer-	j'aimerais
devoir	devr-	vous devriez (you should)
avoir	aur-	auriez-vous… ?
être	ser-	ce serait possible ?

• Pourriez-vous m'envoyer un autre article ? (more polite than Pouvez-vous…)
• J'aimerais être remboursé. — Je voudrais échanger ce pull.
• Vous devriez contacter le service client. (advice)
• Ce serait possible de payer en trois fois ?

10.4 Grammar: telling an incident (passé composé + imparfait)

When you tell what happened, the imparfait sets the scene and describes the situation; the passé composé gives the events.

• J'étais chez moi (situation) et personne n'est venu (event).
• Quand j'ai ouvert le colis (event), l'écran était cassé (description of what I found).
• Je regardais une série quand le livreur a sonné.

10.5 Practice

10.6 Listening

A radio report on young people and screens.

10.7 Speaking

10.8 Writing

10.9 Flashcards